united states team

Oksana’s teachers The 11th Paralympic gold medal was “redemption” for the more decorated American Winter Paralympic.

And it was clear how much it meant to her.

Masters screamed loudly several times with joy after winning the women’s seated sprint discipline in Para cross-country skiing on Tuesday in Milan Cortina, Italy.

She finished second in the event four years ago.

“It was a huge relief and redemption from Beijing. It was the one that got away. I love sprints and I hate them because there’s a lot of stress,” Masters said.

“I have a hard time believing in myself and that was a big thing. The team believed in me, so I wanted to introduce myself to my team.”

Masters was 40 meters behind leader Yunji Kim at the start of the final slope, but sped up the climb to overtake his rival when they reached the top.

“I hate chasing. I’d rather be chased, but I find that I’m good at chasing and attracting people, one by one, staying calm and relaxed,” Masters added.

It was the second gold medal in Milan Cortina for Masters, who won the women’s seated sprint discipline in Para biathlon on Saturday. The 36-year-old was coming off a difficult season that included surgery, a bone infection and a concussion.

“I feel absolutely on top of the world right now, in complete shock and very, very happy,” he added.

Masters now has seven Paralympic Winter Games gold medals, in addition to her four Summer Paralympic Games victories. He has competed in every Paralympic Games since 2012, winning medals in Para cross-country and Para biathlon in winter and Para cycling and Para rowing in summer.

His medal total is 21: 16 in the Winter Games and five in the Summer Games.

Masters was born in Ukraine with birth defects believed to be related to the Chernobyl nuclear accident. She had to go through orphanages at a young age in Ukraine before being adopted.

Gay Masters, a professor at the University of Louisville, adopted her when she was 7 and raised her as a single mother, according to Team USA.

His left leg was amputated when he was 9 years old and his right leg was amputated when he was 14 years old.

According to Team USA, Masters won the Laureus World Athlete of the Year with a Disability Award in 2020 and was the first Para athlete to earn a nomination in the best athlete category for women’s sports at the ESPYs.